The Coming Kingdom

Advent is about three comings: the first coming of Jesus, when he was born as a baby in Bethlehem; the coming of Jesus into our hearts, making us new people; and the final coming of Jesus when time as we know it will stop. Advent addresses those comings in reverse order. We begin with the end. Today we consider the end of the story.

When we think about the end, it's so easy for us to think about books we've read or movies that we've seen and to picture a destructive apocalypse. But we're going to look at what Jesus himself says about the end. It may surprise you to realize that when he speaks about the end, Jesus doesn't talk about doomsday. He doesn't talk about winter and death. Jesus speaks about spring and new life. The coming kingdom brings new life.

I don't know if any English teacher has ever told you this before, but the Gospels are considered literary masterpieces. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are not four guys who are writing about the life of Jesus that don't agree about the order of events. No, each Gospel stands alone and is structured in such a way that it's brilliant and genius.

I mention this because I think knowing the literary context of a verse can be more important than knowing the historical context. Since this is the first Sunday in Advent, you'd think that we'd begin in chapter 1, but we don't. Instead, we begin in chapter 21. So, in Luke, where do these verses happen? What's the context?

 Luke 19 is Palm Sunday, where Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The chapter ends with Jesus clearing the Temple. Chapter 20 shows Jesus teaching. The priests and religious leaders are seeking a way to get rid of Jesus. They ask him difficult questions--and these are not honest debates--trying to trap him. In chapter 21, Jesus sees a widow putting her last penny in the collection box. And as Jesus and his disciples leave the Temple, the disciples comment on how beautiful and majestic the Temple is. Jesus, in effect, says, "This Temple, this institution, it's all coming down."

So this text is the culmination of all the controversies--where the religious leaders are wanting to get Jesus killed, and Jesus is criticizing the institution that robs widows of their homes and takes their very last penny.

Luke 21:25-28 (NIV) "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Jesus is speaking prophetically. He says there will be several signs before the final coming of the Son of Man. If we're honest, this can be a source of fear and worry and anxiety for some of us. And, truth be told, there have been a lot of preachers, publishers, and producers who have made a ton of money capitalizing on these fears.

But what is Jesus saying?

This is a word of judgment. This is a word of judgment against injustice, inequality, and toward those who are indifferent toward love, compassion, and unity. For those who try to get ahead by taking advantage and stepping on others, the message of Jesus is a message of judgment and a call to repentance. And for those who hold on to the promises of God, in spite of all the scars and wounds this world has given them, the coming kingdom is a time to look up with hope and celebration. Jesus says, "stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is near" (CEB).

The good news is redemption is near. God is near. Jesus tells us that the day of judgment is actually a day of grace. But grace does not mean that we get to exempt suffering and difficult times. What this text calls us to do is to be watchful and to be ready.

Luke 21:29-31 (NIV) He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near."

Some people think these verses are symbolic; I don't. I think Jesus did what he usually did when he was preaching--he looked for something to point to. Do you remember when Jesus was speaking about worry and he pointed to the birds in the air? In that same way, I think Jesus pointed to a tree and said, "You can tell spring is coming when trees start to bloom. In the same way, when these signs appear, the kingdom is near."

Also, this scene happens just before Passover, so it's springtime. As Jesus speaks these words on the Mount of Olives, the trees were budding. The kingdom brings new life.

Luke 21:32-33 (NIV) "Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

Now we have an issue: What does Jesus mean when he says "this generation"?

I think this has a double-meaning. If you read the entire chapter, I think you'll see that Jesus is predicting two things: the destruction of the Temple and his final coming.

For those who were standing with him in 33 AD, I think he was saying, "You will live long enough to see the Temple destroyed." Rome destroyed the Temple in 66 AD.

But as we read the text, don't you get the feeling that Jesus is doing more than just predicting the end of the Temple? He's also talking about his return. The generation who sees the signs will see Jesus' return.

Luke 21:34-36 (NIV) "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

When we read all these verses together, it's so easy to focus on the signs in the heavens and the earthquakes and the disasters. But I think the most important piece is this--Don't get caught up in the anxieties of day-to-day life. Don't numb yourself. Don't escape or run away. This is about preparing yourself and living an intentional life.

We're told that Judgment Day approaches suddenly. Our task is to stay alert. Jesus promises to be with us, to guide us, and to help us, but he also warns us that remaining faithful will be difficult.

John 5:22 (NIV) "Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son." This verse tells us that on Judgment Day, everyone's fate will be determined by Jesus. He is our judge. Those who are allowed to stand will be the ones who receive eternal life.

Look again at what Jesus says. This isn't doomsday. The Lord will return in a glorious appearing.

When we pray the Lord's Prayer, we pray, "Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." We participate in the kingdom. Look around, do you see signs of the kingdom? Do you see signs of peace? Do you see signs of community? Do you see signs of hope? Do you see signs of promise? Jesus said there are signs of the kingdom. The kingdom means new life.

Stand up. Stand firm. Your redemption is near. God is near. God is with us.